Score: 69/100 – Average
Appearance 6/6
The beer pours a clear black with moderate, dense, creamy, deep tan head. Very good foam retention. A great looking brew.
Aroma 15/24
Medium intensity with good balance. The aroma is surprisingly restrained (borderline muted) featuring a mix of dark malt, alcohol, barrel, and oxidation. Barrel and malt lead but the oxidation has gone too far. Clearly past prime and I’m wondering if this is from storage/temperature issues.
Flavour 28/40
Strong intensity with sweet balance and pronounced perceived bitterness. Same as aroma: malt, alcohol, barrel, and oxidation rule with the age showing itself too much. This must’ve been much better when it first came out. I’m now leaning even more towards warm storage issues considering how much T2N there is. It just doesn’t make sense that such high alcohol beer would be this far gone in the time frame.
Mouthfeel 8/10
Medium body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is slick yet there’s a sense of thinness there. Restrained alcohol warming with a sweet finish. Mild astringency on the palate with no actual harshness.
Overall 12/20
I’m sad to report, but oxidation has gotten the best of this beer. I picked up the bottle from a store shelf; where it likely spent months considering the level of oxidation for such a hefty brew. I’ve had imperial stouts after two to three years which demonstrate the same level of aging. A month on a shelf at room temperature can equal seven months in a cold fridge. I’d try this again but I’d have to know it’s fresh.
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 